Indicator



M. B. MEYERs INDICATOR July 9, 1929.

vFiled July ll 1928 Parente! Julya1929.

UNITED STATES 1,720,085 PATENT' OFFICE.

:lux B. IIEYERS, or cH'IcAGo, ILLINOIS.

INDICATOR.

Application iled July 11,

This invention relates to an indicator in which is comprised a series of independently rotatable wheels carrying on thelr periph, cries digits any selected combination of which may. be exposed to view through an aperture in the casing wherein the wheels are mounted. More particularly, the invention relates to the arrangement of the wheels within the casing which is .provided for their reception, and to the means for locking the wheels against accidental or casual movement from a given position of adjustment.

A device of this character may be used to.

advantage in connection 4with the oiling and greasing operations of an automobile, and it may be designed for convenient attachment within the body of an automobile whereby to apprise constantly'the operator thereof respecting milcages at which .lubrication operations should be performed.

A suggestive embodiment of this invention is set forth in the accompanying drawing in the following manner:

Figure 1 is a front elevationof the device in its entirety;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6, which is a detail in section, shows the spring detent which acts upon the wheels.

The present indicator is contained within a casing which may be formed of sheet metal to provide a front wall 7, a back wall 8 and end walls 9. The casing is provided also with a bottom wall 10 from which upstands a vertical partition 11 dividing the casing into two compartments. One of these compartments, shown to the right in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, is provided also with a false bottom 12 below which the front wall 7 and proximate end wall 9 is cut away. In this manner, I provide a space open on two sides, wherein may be received any desired object such, for example, as a box of matches. By the provision of a leaf spring 13 the matches may be pressedupwardly against the false bottom so as to be prevented from loose move ment. The casing bottom 10 below the false bottom 'ma be laterally extended at 14 to provide a 11p which supports a match box or other object which extends outwardly beyond the confines of the casing.

disks so as to expose the forward 1928. Serial No. 291,894.

The structure thus far described provides, in addition to the space for the match box, two compartments which are open at the top. One of these compartments may conveniently receive a package of cigarettes, and the other is adapted to support an ash tray 35 having outwardly extended flanges 36 which overlie the upper edges of the casing. In this manner, the tray is supported removably in place, and upon occasion may be lifted out for the emptying of its contents.

In the lower portion of the compartment wherein is disposed the tray, the present indicating devices are located. As shown, these comprise two sets of wheels having similar mountings, detents, and locks, so that a description of but one will sutiice. It will `be understood in this connection that. one.

two, or more sets of indicating wheels, all alike, may be incorporated into the present structure, this being a matter of selection in accordance with the preference of the dcs1gner.

Extending between oneend wall 9 and the partition 1l is a pin 15 whereon is rotatably mounted a series of wheels 16 each provided with a disk 17 which is connected thereto upon one face. The disks which are of greater diameter than the wheels arc. notched at'18 for a double purpose-to fa.- cilitate turning movement thereof by the fingers, and to receive engagement from a spring tongue 19 which extends from a plate 20 having a mounting upon one of the casing walls. This plate is provided with a plurality of such tongues, one for each disk, whereby each tongue will coact, independently of the. others, with its associated disk. These tongues are so disposed relative to the disks as to permit the latter to rotate in one direction only, and then onl by the application of a rotary force whicfi is sufficient to overcome the tension of the tongues.

' The front wall 7 of the casing is apertured at 21 adjacent the several wheels and ortions of their peripheries. Inasmuch as t e disks are the larger, the aperture is slotted at 22 on opposite edges to accommodate the disks. Upon each wheel is carried, marked, or impressed a series of digits, from 0 to 9 by preference, any one of which may be moved into register with the aperture 21, such a position being determined when the tongue 19 enters one of the disk notches 18. By the means described, the several wheels, through the medium of the manipulating disks, ma)r be moved into any selected rotative lpos1- tions so as to set up for exposure a `desired combination of digits.

In order to safeguard against accidental or casual disturbance of any number coinbination so set up, I provide for the entlre series of wheels a single lock which is positive in its action. As shown, this comprises a bar 25 having an operating end 2G disposed exteriorly of the casing, the bar being extended through a slot 27 4in the end wall 9 in proximity to the several disks. 'Ihe inner end of the bar is pivotally and slidingly held, as by a in and slot connection 28 within a mountingr 29 which ma be carried on the partition. 11. A series o notches or slots 30 corresponding in number and spaeing to the disks is also provided in one edge lof the bar, the material betweenthese slotsI forming wards 31 which are adapted to cngage within notches 18 when the bar is shifted endwise to oneY of its two positions. In such a condition of the parts the disks are locked positively against rotation. In its other shifted position the slots 30 are aligned with the notches so as to permit the disks to turn freely when a proper rotary force is applied thereto. The locking bar itself may be locked by gravit in either of these two positions and for t is purpose I provide two slots 32 spaced apart about half the distance between two disks, and adapted, one at a time, to engage with the lower edge of the slot 27 in the casing end wall.` This latter slot, it should be noted, is of sufficient vertical dimension to permit lifting of the outer bar end to a point where both slots 32 will clear the locking edge of the slot 27 whenever it is desired to `shift the bar to locking or unlockin position relative to the several disks and w eels.

The easing containing the indicating mechanism just described may be mountedl in any convenient place where the exposed number combination is readable. As suggestive of one means of fastening for the casing, I have shown applied to its rear wall one or more vacuum cups 33, referably of rubber, adapted to support tie casing against a smooth surface in a well knownmanner. By the use of some such appliance, the device may, if desired, be car'- ried upon a glass window or shield.

From the preeedingvdeseription, it will be manifest that the present invention is advantageous because of the simplicity of its construction and operation, the fewness of its parts, and the positive character of the lock which operates upon the numbered wheels. I desire, in accordance with the terms of the claims following, to be protected in this invention whether or notthe em-` bodiment thereof be as illustrated and described, or modified therefrom without sacrifice of the features which impart novelty thereto. f

I claim:

1. In an indicator, the combination of a series of independentlyl rotatable wheels having a coaxial mounting, a notched disk associated with cach wheel and connected thereto, anda locking bar provided with a series of notches, said bar bein shiftable longitudinally to present either lts notches or its intervening wards in engagement within the disk notches whereby to unlock or lock the same in unison.

2. In an indicator, the combination ofa series of independently rotatable notched wheels having a coaxial mounting, and a locking bar shiftable longitudinally extending within a notch of each wheel whereby to lock the entire series inunison, the bar being itself notched in accordance with the wheel series whereby to present a notch opposite each-wheel when the bar is shifted longitudinally to an unlocking position.

3. In an-indicator, the combination of a series of independently rotatable notched wheels having a coaxial mounting, a locking ing and provlded with note es, one opposite each wheel, adapted to lock or unlock In testimony whereof I have hereunto setmy hand and affixed my seal this 29 day of June, 1928.

MAX B. MEYERS.

bar having a sliding and ivotal mount- 

